Squamish

Squamish sits at the head of Howe Sound, on the road between Vancouver and Whistler. It boomed in the buildup to the 2008 Olympics when the highway got improved and all sorts of new housing popped up, and now, like so many other places, it's trying to attract tourists and bill itself as a hub of outdoor recreation.

The Sea to Sky Gondola, which rises between Stawamus Chief (the granite monolith known well to climbers) and Shannon Falls, climbs from the highway up about 3000' (885 m) to the summit house, which is pretty much a ski lodge without the skiing. But there are plenty of well-maintained walking trails, viewing platforms, and even a dramatic suspension bridge.

Apparently, they had live music Friday evening, but by then we were already back in Vancouver.